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Frequently Asked Questions

Published by League Admin

Oct 17, 2018

GCYBSA

Updated June 25, 2018

How do I register?

Spring registration opens each year on January 10th and closes on March 15th for all divisions except 15-18U. The 15-18U will open Jan 10 and remain open until May 15 as there season starts a month later (typically second week of June and goes through end of July). Fall registration opens each year on June 1st and closes on July 10th. You may register online by visiting our website at www.gcybsa.com and click red circle that says "Click Here to Register Online" located at the top right corner of our website. You should sign up for the grade division your child is in during the season. For example, for spring season, if child is in 3rd grade for April-June, then he should play grade 3 for spring season. If child will be in grade 4 for fall season (Sept), then you should sign up for grade 4 for fall season. Th

A Mail-In/Walk-In Registration form is also available on our website under the “Available for Download" section. The Mail-In/Walk-In Registration forms must either be mailed to GCYBSA, 46555 Michigan Avenue, Canton, MI, 48188 or dropped off to our office at Canton Sports Center at the above address. Please note, Mail-In/Walk-In Registration forms must be submitted and received by June 30th. The state of Michigan has introduced a new law regarding concussions. It is mandatory that all coaches take an on-line concussion training class and provide us a certificate of completion. A Parent & Athlete Concussion Information Sheet is listed on page 16 of the 2016 Program Guide. Parents should read this and by signing the waiver on the registration form, you have acknowledged you were provided this information sheet and have read it.

Is there a multi-player family discount?

Yes, we offer a multi-family discount for 3 or more players. Our new registration page should apply the discount to the third player (lowest priced division) is half off. All family players must be signed up at the same time and added to the same cart for the system to discount the third player. If you have a child sign up afterwards, please contact Wendy Mullen at wendy.mullen@canton-mi.org so she can adjust accordingly.

How are teams formed?

Teams are formed by returning players first. If there is an opening on that team, we will fill with a player based by school.

Can I make a request for team placement?

You may make a request for team placement. Attempts will be made to accommodate requests, but parents are cautioned that not all requests can be granted. If there is a request for a specific team and there is an opening and the player attends the same school as other players on the team, then we will most likely grant that request. Please note, we will not remove a player off his/her current team to make room for a new request. There are times we do have to combine schools depending on the number of players signed up at each grade/age level per school.

Can girls sign up for baseball?

All baseball programs are coed. Our Small Ball and T-Ball divisions comprise of both boys and girls. Girls will have two options for age 7 and above. Girls interested in playing softball, may sign up for Softball Age 8. Girls interested in playing baseball may continue to play coach pitch and beyond. Most girls do generally tend to move towards softball. We only offer softball in the spring session.

Are there tryouts?

There are no tryouts held for our recreational teams. We do hold tryouts for our travel and competitive teams. These tryouts outs are held at end of July or beginning of August each year. These dates will be posted on our website at www.gcybsa.com in early July. If your child is interested in playing up a grade/year he/she must attend a play-up evaluation which will be held during the travel/competitive tryouts. Play-up evaluations are only held for players seeking to play up to Grade 3-Age 9 and above divisions. Along with the evaluation, your child has to be approved by the commissioner.

What is the cut-off date for baseball and/or softball?

For recreational players, we have moved to using the player's grade for placement.

The national cut off-age for enrolling in baseball is April 30 of that year and for softball the age of Dec. 31 of the prior year. Example: To play Baseball Grade 5 – Age 11, you should be 11 years old on or before April 30, 2018 or in grade 5. To play Softball 10, you should be 10 years old or under as of Dec. 31, 2017. These dates are used for our travel and competitive programs. In our recreational program, we have extended the cut-off date to allow players to play by grade so players are with their classmates. If your player is young for his/her grade, we or even you may want to consider moving them into the lower grade category.

Can my child play up or down in Grade/Age division in recreational?

Playing Up:

We have already extended the cutoff age to include players in the same grade. To play a grade above current grade level, the player must be in grade 2 or higher and attended the player evaluation held during the travel/competitive tryouts. These tryouts/evaluations are held in August of the previous year and the date(s) are published on our website. The commissioner for that age group must also approve. We will not allow players to play up if they have not passed an evaluation or are not the appropriate grade level.

Playing Down:

In some instances, players will request to play down. Circumstances are considered on an individual basis. If your player is young for his/her grade, we will consider moving them into the lower grade division.

How can I volunteer to be a coach?

In order to volunteer as a coach, you must fill out a Coach Application form. This form may be found on our website at www.gcybsa.com under the “Available for Download" section. A background check will be performed and if you are selected, you must attend the coach meeting held prior to the start of the season. For more information, please email us at gcybsa@canton-mi.org. Also, please note in some divisions we may already have a full staff of coaches especially in the fall. If there are more volunteers than coaches, then we will determine the coaches by who has the majority of their team returning from previous season. In some cases in the fall, we will combine teams.

What nights are game on and when are practices?

The registration form will reflect the game nights that are most commonly assigned particular grade/age divisions. These dates are tentative. Players should be prepared to play as needed on weekends or weekday nights especially in the case of make-up games due to inclement weather.

Practices are generally held once per week/and or at the discretion of the coach. The coach's schedule and field availability will determine the practice evening. For T-Ball and Coach Pitch division, practices are generally held during the week with games held on Friday evening (Coach Pitch) or Saturday morning (T-Ball). For Grade 3 (Age 9) division through Grade 7th/8th (Ages 13/14) practices are typically held during the weekend while two games are held during the week. Typical game nights are as follows:

Fall Division/ Grade & Age/ Price/Game Nights/Practices

Small Ball- Pre-K 4 & 5 yrs old - $70 Six sessions (Tuesdays) - Once a week 45 minute with one game at end of season.

Baseball High School Ages 15-18U - $150 - Games will vary throughout the week with one weekend practice. Non Residents cost will be additional $10 and will be accepted only where spots are available.

Girls Softball Coach Pitch 8U - $110 - Games will be Wednesdays with one weekend practice. No offered in fall - Only offered in spring division.

Girls Softball Prep 10U - $125 - Games will be Tuesdays and Thursdays with one weekend practice.No offered in fall - Only offered in spring division.

Girls Softball Junior 11-14U - $130 - Games will be Mondays and Wednesdays with one weekend practice. No offered in fall - Only offered in spring division.

Where are games played?

Game fields will vary by grade/age division and evening. Some of the facilities used are, Canton Sports Center, Plymouth Township Park, Griffin Park, Heritage Park, Flodin Park and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. Some teams will play in local communities.

How long is the season?

The season may vary by grade/age group depending on field availability, weather and holidays. Spring season generally begins in early to middle of May and concludes by July 4th or middle of July. For baseball divisions Grade 3 (Age 9) and higher, we attempt to finish the regular season and the playoff tournament prior to July 4th. For T-Ball and Coach Pitch, games may go to middle of July. For T-Ball and Coach Pitch, the coaches may elect to play the July games ahead of schedule during the week on a practice nights after school is finished for the year in June.

Fall season begins in the middle of August and concludes in the middle of October.

Can siblings play on the same team?

Sibling may play on the same team if they are twins, triplets or quads. GCYBSA generally discourages siblings of different grades/ages playing together because it requires approving a player to play up, which then takes a spot away from a grade/age appropriate player and more importantly, often diminishes the experience for one of the siblings. It is best to have the siblings on separate teams so they each have a chance to shine and not compete against each other.

If an evaluation occurs, or there are blended grade/age groups in the program such as softball or fall baseball, then it may be okay for siblings to play together on the same team.

When will I know the assigned coach and when does practice begin?

Rosters will be sent to coaches around third or last week of April. Coaches are emailed their team roster at the same time they are posted online. Some coaches may be out of town during spring break while others may be in town. So please allow them time to contact you. If you have not heard from your coach after spring break has concluded then please email us at gcybsa@canton-mi.org or look for instructions on the website at www.gcybsa.com.

Practices typically begin the first week of May. Fields are not available until after spring break and not officially assigned until released by the schools or the townships. Teams meeting and practicing prior to field permits being issued do so without the sanctioning of GCYBSA.

What equipment will be provided? What equipment do I need to provide?

GCYBSA will provide each registered player a MLB Logo shirt, hat, and socks. Teams will be provided with baseballs, helmets and catching gear for divisions T-Ball and up. Players are to provide their own glove, pants, appropriate athletic shoes, protective cup. Players may provide their own equipment (bats and helmets) but they must meet GCYBSA standards and may not be shared with other players. Player owned helmets are not required to have a face mask. All team issued helmets by GCYBSA have a face mask and are not allowed to be removed.

Small Ball – A participation shirt will be provided. Each player should have their own baseball glove. All other necessary equipment will be provided by the league.